🔒 Securing the Systems That Run the World
Operational Technology (OT) runs the world — factories, power plants, water utilities, and transport systems.
But who’s really securing it?
As IT and OT environments converge, the once-isolated industrial systems that kept operations running safely are now connected to enterprise networks, cloud platforms, and remote access systems.
And in this new landscape, Purdue Level 3 has become the battleground — where IT meets OT, and where most modern cyber risks emerge.
Why an OT CISO Matters
For years, OT cybersecurity was simply added to the IT CISO’s portfolio.
But OT ≠ IT.
💡 In IT, the mission is to protect data.
💡 In OT, the mission is to protect people, uptime, and equipment.
That difference changes everything.
A breach in the IT network might leak information — but a breach in OT can halt production, damage assets, or impact safety.
The OT CISO role is emerging across critical industries — energy, manufacturing, water, and transportation — as organizations realize they need leadership that understands both engineering and cybersecurity.
What Makes an OT CISO Different
✅ Navigates the intersection of IT and OT — especially the Purdue Level 3 integration layer.
✅ Speaks the language of both engineering and business.
✅ Balances safety, reliability, and security.
✅ Builds programs aligned with ISA/IEC 62443, NIST 800-82, and ISO 27019.
✅ Translates technical cyber risk into operational and business impact.
✅ Leads collaboration between IT, OT, and operations teams.
Where We’re Headed
Regulations like NIS2 and NERC CIP are raising expectations for executive accountability in OT security.
Forward-looking organizations are already appointing dedicated OT CISOs or Heads of Industrial Cybersecurity to lead these efforts.
But for many, the journey is still unfolding — with IT/OT convergence introducing new risks that blur traditional boundaries.
My Call to Action
OT cybersecurity deserves a seat at the executive table.
We need to define, empower, and mature the OT CISO role — not as a subset of IT, but as a strategic function driving operational resilience.